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The U.S. Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence Tuesday, placing the former federal prosecutor and securities regulator in charge of the country’s 18-agency intelligence community.
Senators approved President Donald Trump’s nominee in a 51-47 vote, with every Senate Democrat opposing the appointment.
“Jay is outstanding in every way, and will do a spectacular job as Director!” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after the vote.
Clayton will succeed acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte, who temporarily assumed the role after Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation May 22, citing her husband’s health problems.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence coordinates 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA and FBI.
Clayton previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump’s first term and, more recently, as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
He takes control of an intelligence community affected by leadership turnover and staffing reductions under Pulte, a Trump loyalist who had no relevant intelligence experience.
Pulte, who also serves as a federal housing regulator, referred several of Trump’s political opponents for possible prosecution and oversaw broad cuts at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Hours before Clayton’s confirmation vote, Pulte said a fifth round of dismissals would reduce staffing at the intelligence coordinating office by about 30% within weeks.
His brief tenure had raised concerns among lawmakers from both parties.
Democrats initially viewed Clayton as a more conventional alternative to Pulte but opposed him following his confirmation hearing.
When repeatedly asked whether Democrat Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, Clayton said only that Biden had been “certified” as the winner.
“I’m not an election denier,” Clayton told senators without directly answering the question.
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner said he left the hearing with “serious reservations about whether he would be willing to stand up to political pressure.”
“I sincerely hope he proves those concerns unfounded, because the Intelligence Community deserves steadier leadership than it has received in recent months,” Warner said after the vote.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had previously described Clayton’s hearing performance as “abysmal.”
Republicans pointed to Clayton’s record at the SEC and the U.S. attorney’s office in New York.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Clayton’s experience addressing financial crime and handling national security cases made him a proven leader during a period of heightened threats.
Clayton’s confirmation comes as concerns grow among Democrats that Trump is involving national security agencies in efforts to revisit the 2020 election and question the integrity of upcoming midterm voting.
Earlier this month, Trump used a televised White House address to release declassified intelligence that he said showed Chinese interference, while again falsely claiming that the 2020 election was stolen.
Clayton’s appointment could help restart negotiations over Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
The provision permits the U.S. government to collect communications involving foreign nationals outside the country without obtaining an individual warrant.
Democrats had resisted renewing the authority while Pulte remained acting intelligence director, citing concerns about potential administration overreach.
Any extension is unlikely before September because the House of Representatives has already left Washington for its summer recess.
Gabbard had frequently drawn attention over claims that she opposed possible military operations against Venezuela and Iran before announcing her resignation.
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